[Full Guide] How to Hard/Soft/Factory Reset iPhone 8/8 Plus

There are various situations in which a hard reset or a factory reset of iPhone 8 plus seems ideal. Whether you are selling your iPhone or just fed up from the working issues on iPhone, a reset will erase all data and settings and you will be able to use the iPhone as a new one.

But at first, you need to understand the difference between hard reset, soft reset, and factory reset. A soft reset is just a software operation and it keeps the data intact on your iPhone no matter what.

A factory reset performs two functions; it reconfigures your iPhone to manufacturer settings and erases all pieces of data entirely. So, when the device restarts, a reinstallation sequence is initiated, this allows the user to set up the iPhone as new.

However, a hard reset is useful when the device is not functioning properly. This means the settings of the device need changes. It clears the memory associated with the hardware and updates the device to the latest version. After the hard reset, the CPU kicks start the application installed on the device.

Typically, the hard reset is used when there is a bug or virus inside the iPhone. But if you want to upgrade the firmware or remove some serious problems, then a factory reset will be more suitable for you. Now, we will move on to how to reset iPhone 8 and 8 Plus using any one of the three methods.

• Part 1. Force restart or hard reset iPhone 8/8 Plus
• Part 2. Soft reset or restart iPhone 8/8 Plus
• Part 3. 3 ways to factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus

Part 1. Force restart or hard reset iPhone 8/8 Plus

Before you learn how to hard reset iPhone 8, it is important that you perform a backup of the device. Once the backup is done, proceed with the hard reset process.

As you know there are 3 buttons on iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, i.e. Volume up, Volume down, and Power button. A combination of these buttons is used to perform the hard reset as:

Step 1: Switch off the iPhone and press the volume up button and quickly release it. Repeat the same with the Volume Down button.

Step 2: Now press the Power button and hold it for a few seconds. When the Apple logo appears on the screen, release the power button and the hard reset sequence will be initiated.

Wait while the hard reset finishes and your iPhone will start working efficiently. 

Part 2. Soft reset or restart iPhone 8/8 Plus

The soft reset is simply like restarting the iPhone. So, you don’t have to follow a typical guide on how to reset iPhone 8 plus. You only need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Press the power button and hold it until the Slider appears on the screen.

Step 2: Slide to the right side of the screen and wait for a few seconds as the device power shut down.

Step 3: Restart your iPhone by pressing the Power button and holding it until the Apple logo pop-up on the screen.

Don’t worry; a soft restart does no harm to the device and makes sure that the data is also safe. The soft reset comes in handy when an app is irresponsive or misbehaving on the device.

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Part 3. 3 ways to factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus

When it comes to iPhone 8 hard reset there is only one method to do it. But for the Factory reset, there are several methods available. You can use any of the methods which fit your requirement

3.1 Factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus without iTunes

If you want to perform a factory reset on iPhone 8 without passcode or iTunes, then you can take help from Dr.Fone - Data Eraser (iOS). This application is specially developed so that the users can easily perform a factory reset with one-click. It will protect your privacy and makes sure that all junk files are erased from the iPhone completely.

There are numerous advantages of using this tool instead of any other method for factory reset. Some of them are listed below:

Dr.Fone - Data Eraser

The best tool to factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus without iTunes

• It erases the data from iPhone permanently.
• It can perform complete or selective erase.
• The iOS optimizer feature allows the users to speed up iPhone.
• Select and preview data before erasing it.
• Easy to use and reliable tool.

Available on: Windows Mac

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The steps you need to follow to perform a factory reset on iPhone 8 using Dr.Fone - Data Eraser are given below:

Step 1: Download and install the software on your system and launch it. From the main interface, choose the Erase option and connect your iPhone to the computer.

Step 2: In the Erase window, hit the Start button to initiate the process. The software will ask you to choose a security level for the erase. The security level determines whether the deleted data will be available for recovery or not.

Step 3: After choosing the security level, you will have to confirm the action once more by entering the “000000” code in the space. Then hit the Erase Now button.

Step 4: Wait while the software erases apps, data, and settings from your iPhone. The speed of erasure will depend on the security level.

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Make sure that your iPhone stays connected to the system during the process. When the process finishes, you will get a notification and have to reboot your iPhone. Now your iPhone is successfully erased and you can reset it as per your needs.

3.2 Factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus with iTunes

Just like everything else, iTunes can also help the users to carry out the factory reset on iPhone 8. It can also come in handy if you somehow get locked out of your iPhone. Follow the steps below to for factory reset using iTunes:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to the system in which iTunes is installed and launch iTunes. The application will recognize the device automatically.

If you are connecting the device to iTunes for the first time, then the device will prompt you to Trust this Computer. Select the yes button and move on to the next step.

Step 2: Click on the Summary tab from the left side panel and you will see the Restore iPhone on the right side.

Press the button and you will get a pop-up asking you to confirm the restore. Press the Restore button again and iTunes will take care of the rest.

After the iPhone restart, you can set it up as new.

3.3 Factory reset iPhone 8/8 Plus without a computer

There is one other method to learn how to factory reset iPhone 8 or 8Plus. You can directly use the Settings option. When your device is functioning normally, you can access settings and carry out the task. If there is a problem and you can’t use this method, that’s when the other two methods come into play.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app and open General Settings. In the General Settings menu, scroll down and look for Reset option.

Step 2: Open the Reset menu and select the Erase All Content and Settings option. You will be prompted to enter your device passcode to confirm the action.

Enter the passcode and factory reset your device. After erasing the data and settings, you can also restore the backup from iCloud or iTunes in the new iPhone.

Conclusion

Now, you know the difference between soft reset, hard reset, and a factory reset. From now on, whenever you need to reset iPhone 8 or 8Plus, you’ll have an exact idea which method to use and when. And if you don’t want to reset your iPhone, Dr.Fone - Data Eraser is here to help you with the iPhone erasure.

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